The Democrats and Republicans both offered counter-proposals, but both failed to reach the 60-votes needed to pass.

On the heels of a failed vote to fund the government, Senate Majority Leader John Thune laid the blame at the feet of Democrats and said he would continue to press them to vote for a temporary funding bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will speak with reporters after the upper chamber voted on two competing bills in the hopes of avoiding a

Thousands of government employees are likely to be put on unpaid leave, as Trump also threatens to permanently fire federal staff deemed "non-essential".

Senate Republican leaders have made consequential moves this year to weaken the filibuster when it stands in the way of Trump's and the GOP's ambitions.

The Senate is expected to vote again Tuesday on legislation known as a “continuing resolution” that would stave off a shutdown by allowing the government to operate under its existing budget through Nov. 21, after the legislation failed to pass the upper chamber earlier this year.

The Senate planned to vote Wednesday to reopen the government, but Democrats were expected to hold firm against a Republican plan to extend funding until Nov. 21. They say they wo